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PFAS is linked to cancer—get tested now!
PFAS is a huge and growing issue for firefighters. The home finger stick PFAS tests let you monitor PFAS exposure conveniently, reliably, and quickly.
The Brotherhood of Firefighters Foundation
The Brotherhood of Firefighters Foundation’s Mission Is For Every Firefighter To Get Tested
Our Mission
The Brotherhood of Firefighters Foundation is dedicated to supporting the courageous men and women across the country who face the challenges of cancer as a consequence of their service. We strive to provide essential resources, advocacy, and community support to our brothers and sisters diagnosed with cancer, ensuring they receive the care, compassion, and recognition they deserve. Through education, fundraising, and awareness initiatives, we aim to enhance prevention efforts and improve the quality of life for our heroes and their families. Together, we are committed to honoring their sacrifice and fighting alongside them in every step of their journey.
Our PFAS Testing Partner: Relentless Health
We have partnered with Relentless Health (fka Diagnose Early) because they have been working with the Brotherhood of Firefighter Foundation and the Professional Firefighters of South Carolina listening to what we need and addressing the challenges that we face when it comes to our exposure to deadly chemicals and toxins.
Relentless Health has been supporting our firefighter’s health & wellness initiatives and will continue to support us moving forward.
Relentless Health created the PFAS Core Panel which includes analysis of your blood for 18 different PFAS chemicals. Eight of the PFAS compounds are the same ones tracked by The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Why is testing for PFAS important for firefighters?
- Firefighters, as a group, have high PFAS exposures and are dying from cancer and other diseases at higher rates
- Firefighters as a group have a 53% higher exposure rate than the general population
- Firefighters have a 9% higher cancer rate
- Firefighters have a 14% greater mortality rate
- Firefighting is defined as carcinogenic by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)
- In 2023, 72% of fallen fighters died of occupational cancer
What is PFAS and why should firefighters care?
PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of man-made “forever chemicals”. They have long been used in manufacturing for their useful chemical properties, such as being non-stick and being able to repel water. PFAS are now of growing concern to firefighters.
The unique properties of PFAS saw them used in numerous firefighting applications. For decades, they were the key ingredient in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) used to fight fuel fires.
They are used in the manufacture of firefighter’s turnout gear to improve heat transfer and moisture wicking, as well as to make the outer layers of the turnout gear water, grease, and oil resistant.
Researchers from NIST have identified large numbers of different PFAS in turnout gear. Additionally, modern buildings are full of PFAS in both the construction materials and furnishings. This means there is a high risk of PFAS exposure during structural fires.
The Relentless Health PFAS Core Panel test for firefighters
The PFAS Core Panel includes analysis of your blood for 18 different PFAS chemicals.
Eight of the PFAS compounds are the same ones tracked by The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
● PFHxS Perfluorohexane Sulfonate
● PFOA Perfluorooctanoic Acid
● PFHpS Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid
● PFNA Perfluorononanoic Acid
● PFOS Perfluorooctane Sulfonate
● PFDA Perfluorodecanoic Acid
● PFUnDA Perfluoroundecanoic acid
● N‐MeFOSAA 2‐(N‐Methyllperfluorooctanesulfonamido) acetic acid
The test also includes 10 other PFAS compounds that are commonly used in AFFF and turnout gear, as well as found in some drinking water and the environment.
● 4:2 FTS Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 4:2
● 6:2 FTS Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 6:2
● 8:2 FTS Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid 8:2
● PFBA Perfluorobutanoic Acid● PFBS Perfluorobutane Sulfonate
● PFDoDA Perfluorododecanoic Acid
● PFHpA Perfluoroheptanoic Acid
● PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic Acid
● PFNS Perfluorononanesulfonic acid
● PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic Acid